Concert key: A-flat
Style: Medium swing
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Recording Information: Recorded on October 31, 1957, by the Elmo Hope Quintet and first released on Pacific Jazz PJ-33. Later released on Elmo Hope Trio and Quintet (Blue Note CDP 7 84438 2).
- Trumpet - Stu Williamson
- Tenor Sax - Harold Land
- Piano - Elmo Hope
- Bass - Leroy Vinnegar
- Drums - Frank Butler
Description: Our audio excerpt starts with the four-measure intro which sets up the melody. Vaun-Ex was recorded as a quintet, and we've made the second parts available separately. This is a good opportunity to make sure you have your A-flat blues (often referred to as II-V or "Bird Blues") chops together.
Historical Notes: Vaun-Ex was recorded on Elmo's first recording session in Los Angeles, where his quintet consisted of some of the finest West Coast musicians. After the session, Elmo stayed in Los Angeles, next recording with Curtis Counce on January 6, 1958, and also again in April of that year. In 1959 he recorded two landmark dates, the first an Elmo Hope Trio recording on February 8; the second, in August, Harold Land's "The Fox" LP. Frank Butler was the drummer for both of these dates, and they contain important Elmo Hope compositions that will be appearing on jazzleadsheets.com.
For more information about the Pacific Jazz label, click here.
